如果

rú guǒ

HSK 2.0 Level 3 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Conjunction Very common

Definitions

1. if
2. in case
3. in the event that

Word relationships

Register variants

1 item

• 假如 jiǎ rú 假如 jiǎ rú if 假如 is more formal and literary for 'if'.: if

Related words

2 items

• 即使 jí shǐ 即使 jí shǐ even if; even though 即使 means 'even if', a concessive conjunction.: even if; even though
• 除非 chú fēi 除非 chú fēi only if (..., or otherwise, ...) 除非 means 'unless', often used in conditional sentences.: only if (..., or otherwise, ...)

Synonyms

1 item

• 要是 yào shi 要是 yào shi (coll.) if Both mean 'if', 要是 is more colloquial.: (coll.) if

Usage notes

Collocations

如果 is often paired with 的话 at the end of the clause to soften the condition, e.g., 如果你去的话, 我也去. The 的话 is optional and more conversational.

Common mistakes

Do not confuse 如果 with 只要 (as long as) or 只有 (only if). 如果 indicates a simple condition, not a necessary one.

Example Sentences

5 shown

如果 你不去，我就不去。

If you don't go, then I won't go.

如果 你有空的话，我们去看电影吧。

If you are free, let's go watch a movie.

如果 太善良，有时候会吃亏。

If you are too kind, sometimes you will be taken advantage of.

如果 我有時間我會來。

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 1180719)

如果 你忙，我會幫你。

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 858718)

Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org. AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 如果

• 如果说 如果说 rú guǒ shuō: if

Child Words of 如果

• 如 如 rú: as
• 果 果 guǒ: fruit